RAD

Probably Weber. Something has come up, I will post here, but feel the need for a separate thread. I may be able to get an old, bad condition XT6 with good engine and the guys says it now has a Mercedes Benz 5 speed automatic Transmission. Hard to believe that one, it looks like it was installed clean, no signs of rigging or makeshift adaptation. The interior is bad, paint is bad, and he can't find the title. BUT... IF.. I could put that 2.7L XT6 engine in my Brat, it would likely be the biggest damned engine I could put in there, and the maximum Horsepower possible without Turbo or Super Charging. IT would stil have a timing chain, etc. and if I used the transmission, no 4WD, at least until I got another engine. But hell, horsepower would never again be a problem! The deal is, though, fitting it into the engine compartment. Someone here said it could fit, except for the radiator. So here's the new possible direction - It is in fact possible to put an XT6, 2.7 Liter, 6 cylinder engine in a Brat without cutting and welding the hell out of things? I might be able to get the XT6 for well less than it would cost for any decent engine, very tempting.

"Basic" as in No turbo, No electronic ignition (initially), No timing belts, etc. Typical EA81 but with dual carbs.

Thank you for that crucial detail ! Thank, thank you. Despite all that has been said by everyone, I still want a basic dual carb engine for the brat. If I want to go extreme performance, I have my eye on something very special in another Subaru, but am keeping it to myself for now, lol... The Brat will need another, better engine, more HP, so in the next year I will likely be fixing up TWO Subarus, lol.

Right, right, right, and... right. Lol...

I have been able to find pretty much all the components individually, so repair rather than replacement seems pretty practical. Otherwise, yes, replacement would not only be expensive, but almost impossible to find the intact struts at all.

No problems with rust that I have seen, interior looks perfect. Had to get a new battery for it. The accumulation of dirt on the outside over the years means that we have to wash it and let it soak with wet towels over and over to remove the grime without harming the paint, lol...

Development - We got the XT down where we could do something with it, lean it up, etc. Some wires have been chewed through by rats or whatever, Windshield has a crack in it. My friend is wondering if its possible to get a wiring harness instead of repairing the assorted wires...

I was guessing about the redline on my tach, and I was WAY off - its redline is actually at about 5500 rpm. I juist cant get past that aweful feeling when I hear the RPMs high, since I have an older engine in not prime condition that it will throw a rod or something. If I get up to even 4000 RPMs it sounds like I'm pushing it too far. It is probably just me, So just to re-orient myself, with an older EA81 in 75-80% condition and a tach that starts the red at 5500, just how high can I safely take the RPMs ???

Another (remote) possibility - is it possible to bolt an XT6 6 cylinder engine into a Brat without having to cut or modify the engine compartment\area?

Why? Could this be a reason to swap the heads from another motor? would that fix it? or is it generally unreliable?

Got a lead on a wrecked '97 Legacy wagon with a good engine for next to nothing. Owner does not know what kind\size engine, might be able to use the engine? I can get the vehicle for less than the core charge on a motor, but nowhere to keep it right now, lol What do these things use for an engine anyway?

I was not aware of the EJ25 engine. Why put 2.2 heads on a 2.5 engine? You really got me there, lol...

I really want to find that discussion about wiring or linking the barrels of the carb together, I am sure that will make a difference in itself, combined with a little this and that, I'm confident I can be satisfied with the power/speed until I can get a better set-up.

Just replaced radiator with new. My gauge redlines at 4000 I think.

Didn't get exactly what you meant by RAM performance...

Ah, so there are engines that are better hill climbers, mine is more the higher RPM. It is one of the paradoxes of Subaru (Brat) Freakdom, in my case. I have owned more than one, pushed them Way, WAY past their limits, beat the living snot out of them offroading, etc. etc. and like few people know what these Subarus can do and can take, and they are wondrous in design and constitution, but, without explanation or excuse, I do fear the higher RPMs because I have been in a vehicle that threw a rod or something and went to pieces inside, and it is one of the most horrific feelings to occur, especially to a Subaru (Brat) freak. And, I shamelessly admit, when my Brat sounds so cool, especially at certain RPMs, I lust for it and love the lower RPMs. My rule is that I try not to go above 3500, but maybe that is good anyway as that is where your power band starts, so the logical compromise would be near but not over 4000 RPM maybe. I will try pushing the RPMs a but more and see how it works out.

You are absoluytely right about the downshifting and RPM, etc. However... (A) I do not like pushing the RPMs on an engine already in less than perfect age/condition ( I like the lower RPMs, and my exhaust is in just bad enough condition that is actually sounds like a cross between a Harley and some hotrod, lol... But yes, You do make a valid point. However, what I saw on linking the barrels together seems like a very real and inexpensive way to get noticeably more power. Its a must as far as I'm concerned. I can't sem to find that again, apologies, but the search function on this site sucks, lol...

Ok guys... I think I talked him into/out of it, if people are willing to make an inspiring offer, he may sell. We will be washing it up to take pictures of it. What's it really worth? - Not bluebook, what's it REALLY worth to Subaru freaks, eh? ​This car deserves to be fixed up and put back into road service after 25-30 years of being parked! ​Location: East of Redlands, CA.

Here's what I'm talking about.... CAVEAT; I do not care about "street legal" restrictions or laws whatsoever! I want to first improvise to squeeze more power out of my old 1983 EA81 Brat just to take a mountain grade I have to drive without getting bogged down to 40mph in third gear until I can figure out an afford to replace the engine with something with significantly more horsepower. I need whatever help, suggestions, ideas, sources (for S. Calif area),etc. Stage #1: (A) Start looking for a 5 speed tranny ( Improvise horsepower by possibly linking both barrels of my standard carb together, saw something about this here somewhere, need to know exactly how to do that; maybe use better grade of gas, and/or add improvised octane booster like paint thinner or lacquer thinner or something; I do plan on replacing exhaust with something completely different using 2 inch exhaust pipe, which for a Subaru is like headers (Yes, I know about the back-pressure issue, already factored into design. Question: I have a tiny parts store air cleaner on it, only maybe 5 inches across, will bigger air cleaner/filter make a REAL difference? Also thinking about improvising some kind of ram scoop to crudely force a little more air into the carb; Maybe get webber carb unless that would be replaced or eliminated by whatever the next engine is. Imprvisations/suggestions? Stage # 2: New/used engine: Preference #1: EA81 dual carb engine if I can find one, install webbers, super-charger(s) - why? (A) I prefer super charging over turbo ( I prefer not having a timing chain or electronic ignition - I just do. © (Forgot, lol) Preference #2: EJ2200 or similar as per people's suggestions, whatever has the maximum possible horsepower within affordable limits and will bolt into my Brat, - hopefully. I don't want to go broke going too extreme, would prefer the simplest, most affordable way to seriously boost horsepower and speed up a mountain grade regularly. Thank you in advance for all suggestions/ideas...

Well, heres the bottom line... I don't have the money for it, he really didn't want to sell it I think, and really.... If I got it I would have to replace the engine for more horsepower up the mountain grade, and, well, no offense, but if I am going to do that, and fix something up, I would rather do it with my 1983 T-Top Brat, which is twice as sexy. In a way, I don't know what I weas thinking, caught up in Subaru lust or something, lol. I would LOVE to take the 5 speed trans out of it, but even if I could, that would be in some way wasting the XT, which is a cool ride. Nope, I will comfortably pass this up with no regrets, as I do so Love my Brat, and want to put my time, work, and money into it instead, especially since it REALLY needs more horsepower and likely a new engine itself. I would be trying to fix up two vehicles. Nope, the Brat wins this one, lol.... Now how to improvise and tweak things to get some horsepower in the Brat until I can get a better engine. Thank you all for the quality input, and although the guy says after the 4th of July it will not be for sale at all, if he were to change his mind I will be sure to post here in case someone here lusts after it, lol...

No deposit, doesn't work like that. Friend made an offer, later he changed it to buying it outright, lump sum, in cash by the 4th of July. After that its not for sale. Not gonna mess with that, lol. Just try to have the cash in time,

"For a monster build, find nico's sedan ri give you ideas." - Didn't quite get that, do you have a link?

My Brat has the 1800 standard engine - no timing belt, no electronic ignition. I like that, my dream is to have a powerful motor that also has neither - I know it seemingly does not make sense, but that is my dream for my Brat and for the XT if I get it. - I know electronic ignition may be unavoidable in the XT, at best would involve extensive challenges where the wiring, etc. is concerned. Maybe I am wrong?

Thank you, thank you, thank you...

You inspire me !